Qatar has recently been added to the United States Visa Waiver Program, allowing citizens of both countries to visit each other without a visa. This move marks Qatar as the first country to be added to the program this year, and it is the only country in the Gulf region to make the list. However, Qatar’s inclusion in the program is not solely based on its tourism sector, but rather on its commitment to helping the U.S. on security matters. The country had to meet specific criteria in areas such as counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration control, document security, and border management to be admitted to the program.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, stated that Qatar made a significant effort to meet all the program requirements, including sharing information on terrorism and serious crimes. By joining the Visa Waiver Program, Qatar aims to deepen its strategic partnership with the U.S. and enhance the flow of people and commerce between the two countries. Qatar is the 42nd country to join the program, with Croatia and Israel being added in previous years. U.S. tourism in Qatar currently accounts for around 4% of arrivals, with 129,000 U.S. travelers visiting the country up to August out of a total of 3.28 million tourists. Qatar also receives a similar number of tourists from neighboring countries such as Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
Since hosting the FIFA World Cup in Doha in 2022, Qatar has been working to regain the tourism demand it experienced during the event. Without major events like the World Cup, Qatar’s tourism sector tends to shrink. The country has added 10,000 hotel rooms since the start of 2022, increasing the supply by a third and bringing the total to nearly 40,000 hotel rooms. In 2023, hotels in Qatar were typically half empty, with an average occupancy rate of 58% at an average cost of $112 per night. To boost tourism, Qatar Airways introduced new packages in July to encourage travelers to stop over in Doha for 48 hours, offering subsidized hotel and activity packages through Qatar Airways’ holiday subsidiary, Qatar Holidays.
Additionally, Qatar’s tourism authority offers transit visas for travelers for around $27 and provides dedicated tours for those stopping over in the country for six hours or more. These initiatives aim to attract more visitors to Qatar and promote tourism in the country. Qatar’s inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program is expected to further enhance the flow of tourists between the two countries and strengthen their strategic partnership. As Qatar continues to work on developing its tourism sector and attracting visitors, initiatives such as offering transit visas and stopover packages will play a crucial role in driving tourism growth and economic development in the country.
